When I first laid eyes on the Fiat Grande Punto about two years ago, I knew that Fiat had woken from its slumber and realized that infusing some Italian flair into its designs would probably bolster its fortunes.

If the original plain-Jane Punto we knew had been designed during a coffee break, this one must have taken as long as painting the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. That junior-Maserati front and pert shape have certainly struck a chord with European buyers.

That said, Grande Punto hasn’t exactly flown off South African showroom floors now has it? You could probably blame a combination of brand image, price and power for that. Yes, power. South Africans don’t buy slow cars if they can help it, and the Grande Punto’s initial range of engines, barring the 1.9 JTD, just didn’t cut the tarmac. That’s all changed with the recent range upgrade.

That hopeless 1.2 is gone, the hardly-better 1.4 8-valve continues as an entry alternative, while the all-new 1.4-litre 16-valve Starjet petrol and updated 1.3 Multijet diesel provide the much needed power boost. We tested both of the new engine derivatives and it was the new diesel that shone in the end.

For R9100 more than you’d pay for the petrol, the oil-burner packs an economy and performance advantage. Claimed consumption is 4.6 litres per 100km, versus 6.0 and in our acceleration runs done at altitude, the diesel did the 0-100km/h sprint in 13.5 seconds and the 80 – 120km/h overtaking run in an impressive 9.6 seconds.

The petrol took 14.4 seconds from 0-100 and 19.4 from 80 – 120. There’s no getting around this diesel’s advantage if substantial long distance driving on typical South African roads is on your agenda. On the downside, this oil-burner does suffer from launch failure – a common altitude malady that renders turbines unable to procure enough air at low revs to provide the boost needed for a clean pull off. The Grande Punto’s ride quality is decent for a car in this class, as is the road holding, although body roll is more apparent than we’d like and the steering doesn’t have much feel to it.

Interior quality and usability count a truck load in this category and here the Fiat makes a good case for itself. It’s spacious and well equipped, with a features list including a 6-speaker audio system, trip computer, electric windows and mirrors and height-adjustment for the steering wheel and drivers seat. They’ve also replaced the brightly coloured seats and dashboard inlays of the pre-update versions with a far more tasteful trim selection.

Its safety equation meets the 5-star EuroNCAP standard and the package comprises front, front-side and head-level airbags. This car will also save you from after sales headaches with a 5-year/90 000km service plan and even thereafter, service intervals have been set at a generous 30 000km.

If you can live with the turbo lag, the Grande Punto 1.3 Multijet ranks highly in the desirability stakes. It’s also a stylish way to stand out on a road network smothered by the likes of VW’s Polo and Toyota’s Yaris. You might not like the Fiat’s price, though. R150K is a lot to ask for this little car...

Fast Impressions
make	Fiat Grande Punto 1.3 Multijet
engine	4-cyl DOHC 16V
capacity	1248cc
power	66kW @ 4000rpm
torque	200Nm @ 1750rpm
specific power	53kW per litre
specific torque	160Nm per litre
power to weight	kW per tonne
torque to weight	Nm per tonne
drive/transmission	FWD/5-speed
0-100km/h (c)	11.9 seconds
0-100km/h (g)	13.5 seconds
quarter mile (g)	18.9 secs @ 120km/h
80-120km/h (4 th ) (g)	9.6 seconds
120-160km/h (4 th ) (g)	24.5 seconds
maximum speed	175km/h
price	R150 900
fuel use overall	4.6 litres per 100km
fuel capacity	45 litres
CO2 Emissions	g/km
CIA rating	7/10